Caramel from Scratch

1 cup sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
1 cup butter or margarine
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Combine sugar, corn syrup and better in a saucepan (remember you will be dipping apples into it so make sure it is big enough to hold everything but still small enough to make dipping easy).

2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly (it can burn).

3. Boil slowly for 4 minutes without stirring.

4. Remove from heat and stir in milk. Reduce heat to medium-low.

5. Return pan to burner and cook until candy thermometer reads 238 degrees (soft-ball stage), stirring constantly.

6. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Yields: 12 apples

NOTES:
Make sure you cook to the right temp or it will not hold.